Are there any GLBT DUers who actually think that the HRC represents them?

[MNBrewer]

I haven't supported HRC for years, because they're too timid, too tied into maintaining their "access", and too concerned about not rocking the boat.

HRC's recent endorsement of Obama is pretty much meaningless. It's Grade-A asskissing to be blunt.

And as for the idea that Obama has done more for GLBTs than any other American President .... So? That's not a very high bar to meet. Doing 3 symbolic things would have beaten Bill Clinton's record (who had the title before President Obama).

I'll cheer for Obama when he recants his "god's in the mix" regarding gay marriage.

[Pab Sungenis]

1. I gave up on the HRC

when they endorsed and gave money to Alfonse D'Amato.

[MNBrewer]

4. That's about the time I gave up on them, too.

[rusty charly]

8. That's what did it for me, too.

Never forgot it, either.

[DURHAM D]

13. Me too.

I get calls from the HRC all the time. I always tell the caller that the D'Amato endorsement was it for me.

Its been years since the caller even knew who/what I was referring to.

[QC]

2. Many straight DUers seem to think that we are all sworn to honor and obey HRC.

They're so helpful like that, always finding leaders for us.

(Does anyone else remember back when Melissa Etheridge's illiterate wife was appointed to be Supreme Leader of the Gays because she said something nice about Rick Warren?)

[MNBrewer]

Agreed, and that's why I specifically asked if WE think they represent us

I think the straight DUers might be surprised to find out that many of us do not.

[Maven]

10. Oh, I remember.

:hi:

[yardwork]

27. Yes, and I recall that Elton John is also our Dear Leader.

[QC]

31. Oh yes, I remember that as well.

At least he was something of an improvement over Mrs. Etheridge, who attempted to liken marriages and civil unions to yarmulkes and baseball caps. Remember that?

[yardwork]

32. How could I forget her bizarre all-cap rants with zillions of exclamation points?

She's now the ex-Mrs. Etheridge. Maybe even Melissa was appalled.

[QC]

33. JEWISH PEOPLE HAVE A YAMMICKY!1!!1 AND I HAS A BASSBALL CAPP!1!!!

How could one ever forget that?

Melissa must be a very patient woman.

[readmoreoften]

39. RFLMAO

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. You speak the truth

And here they are putting out PR puff pieces for the Obama Campaign 2012. Quelle surprise!

[xchrom]

5. They've been the worst representatives of our community

For a long time.

They have to be forced into representing all of us.

[yardwork]

34. They're not the worst, unfortunately. Google Chris Barron.

[SoCalNative]

6. HRC is far more concerned

with throwing their $1000 a plate fundraising dinners and the attendees of said dinners than actually doing something for the LGBT community as a whole.

[MNBrewer]

7. and getting people to donate so they can put the secret symbol sticker on their car

Nobody outside of the GLBT community even knows what it means.

[Maven]

9. HRC's endorsement is totally meaningless, unless you want another corporate seal of approval.

[cprise]

14. I left them about a decade ago

Your comment resonates with my feelings about them at the time: HRC was primarily about representing well-off gays to the corporate sector... the type of people who tend to look upon your company's LGBT affinity group with a mixture of derision and hate for being so hopelessly lower-middle-class and being unattuned to the dictates of neo-liberalism.

[xchrom]

11. Kick

[Ian David]

12. I'll sign their petitions and take their free bumper stickers.

But ever since they endorsed Joe LIEberman, I won't send them a dime.

[FreeState]

15. Not I n/t

[Behind the Aegis]

16. FUCK NO!

I actually dropped them years ago after working for the organization! What a clusterfuck.

[MNBrewer]

17. So, am I correct that zero GLBT DUers have said HRC represents them?

And we have a number saying "nope". Can straight DUers now stop pretending that HRC accurately reflects gay political sentiment, at least as constituted on DU?

[Pab Sungenis]

23. I used to joke that "if you asked three gays where we should have lunch

you'd get nine different restaurants."

Gays are not at all monolithic, even though there are certain issues that are central to us all.

(And I can't believe I just self-censored the subject line. I hate not having the confidence to call myself what I am without someone else taking offense to it.)

[dsc]

18. The HRC does some things that only they can do

For instance they have done a great job on federal anti bullying legislation and did a great job on DADT. They also are great at having access to the political class which is a vital thing. They aren't so great at making sure marginal people are at the table.

[Zenlitened]

19. Agreed. They are a mixed bag, important in many ways but fall short in others. - n/t

[MNBrewer]

20. NGLTF is more effective in my opinion

which is why (when I can afford to give) I give to them or to OutFront Minnesota (or whatever it's called today).

[Pab Sungenis]

22. Maybe we'd be better off if HRC concentrated on issue advocacy

and ballot measures than endorsing/funding candidates.

[yardwork]

29. I must have missed their work on DADT. I saw nothing for decades.

[readmoreoften]

41. +1

[readmoreoften]

40. Hmm. Or maybe Choi chained to a fence and a march of 200,000 people helped.

I just don't buy that politicians listened to a handful of paid lobbyists over the outrage of millions of Americans. Poll numbers and a LGBT community outraged at Obama pushed the move towards overturning DADT. Even the majority of Republicans supported it in polls. I don't see why we would credit HRC with that victory.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xchrom]

24. Just to remind sone DUers - log cabin repukes also

Did a 'good job' on DADT.

How pathetic that HRC let those clowns in on the action.

[Pab Sungenis]

25. As for the Log Cabin crown on DADT

even a broken clock is right twice a day.

[mitchtv]

26. they do nothing for me

I am not against them, I suppose they have their benefits, but no practical use

[yardwork]

28. I never give money to HRC. I disagree with their approach. They waste their money.

Too centrist, too focused on pandering for crumbs, too busy dressing up in a designer suits and attending inside the Beltway cocktail parties. Meh.

[Creideiki]

30. The problem that the Human Rights Campaign has is that they equate access with equality.

Access isn't equality. Equality is equality.

They're remarkably ineffective and reactive rather than proactive.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

35. They certainly do not represent me! n/t

[mopinko]

36. well i am glad to read this thread.

i used to give them money after a guy came to my door. sent a check for a few years. but on the eve of the 2008 election they had a big do in new york, and margaret cho was supposed to perform. but they chickened at the last minute and cancelled her appearance. i have not given them a dime since.
when they call and i tell them that is why, they never seem to have a clue what i am talking about.

eta- yeah, some of us straight people know bullshit when they see it. some.

[rusty fender]

37. HRC has always been more concerned with

raising money than in fighting for equal rights. I gave up on them when they started raising money to build a permanent headquarters in DC. Permanent? Their job should be to work to eventually eliminate the need for it. HRC should be renting the cheapest storefront in the cheapest strip mall in DC. Instead, they've spent millions to build posh headquarters where they can revel in their permanent quest for equality. I wouldn't work too hard on achieving equality if I had a cushy office from which I planned all those receptions for lawmakers and their staffs.

HRC works to keep itself in luxurious business. Achieving equality is not an end for them, it is the means to keep them in the money.:banghead:

[readmoreoften]

38. The HRC is a waste of time and donations that should be investigated for misuse of funds.

They've been drinking champagne in hot tubs with other lobbyists while we've been fighting in the streets for decades now. Screw them and their damn sticker.

[TriMera]

42. Too much hobnobbing, not enough action. n/t